More than 200 people joined Chancellor J. Keith Motley, UMass President Robert Caret, Board of Trustees Chairman Henry Thomas and UMass Building Authority Executive Director Katherine Craven to mark the beginning of construction on the second new academic facility in the 25-year campus master plan. GAB No. 1 is located on the northeast corner of campus, adjacent to the Campus Center, on the former North Lot.

Crews have begun preparing the construction site by removing the parking lot pavement. They will be removing existing light poles and utilities.